Uncle Taldo's Tentacle Tonic

animateclayWow, you animated the mouth during each frame - I always love the look of mouths done that way!1 year ago

RandyBThanks Marc. This is one of only four films (well... three films and a test) that I animated with soft clay mouths. But it was so incredibly time...Thanks Marc. This is one of only four films (well... three films and a test) that I animated with soft clay mouths. But it was so incredibly time consuming that I eventually gave up and switched to replaceable mouths. I'm really more into the animating than the sculpting.Show more1 year ago

Mr_ForceI liked it, too bad I don't get too see more of this kind of art. 3D replacement is cool and it's an art form all on its own, but 3D printed not the...I liked it, too bad I don't get too see more of this kind of art. 3D replacement is cool and it's an art form all on its own, but 3D printed not the same. Show more1 year ago

A Brief Announcement

RandyBSo here's a silly little short I made in 1990. It is one of only three videos I shot in which I actually sculpted the mouth for lip sync, instead of...So here's a silly little short I made in 1990. It is one of only three videos I shot in which I actually sculpted the mouth for lip sync, instead of using replaceable mouths. I had the worst time maintaining the lips, which keep disappearing. (Hence the eventual switch to replacements) It was an experiment shot on a copystand, so the character was lying on his back and the camera was above him, pointing straight down.Show more1 year ago

animateclayNice short Randy. The lips looked OK to me, was it because they are thin that you had problems? Or just staying on-model? Replacements definitely...Nice short Randy. The lips looked OK to me, was it because they are thin that you had problems? Or just staying on-model? Replacements definitely work much faster but I like the look of an all-sculpted lip sync.Show more1 year ago

RandyBThanks Marc. Yeah - I've always preferred the look of sculpted mouths, but the amount of time it takes to do that is ridiculous. I haven't looked...Thanks Marc. Yeah - I've always preferred the look of sculpted mouths, but the amount of time it takes to do that is ridiculous. I haven't looked closely at this old animation in years, and I really think I nailed the mouth shapes - but to me he has no lips at all, and that really bugged me. And this puppet was very easy to access. I can't imagine trying to do that kind of work when the puppet on the set is facing away from you while animating. So, being more interested in doing the animation, and not being much of a sculptor, I decided to abandon the process and settled for replacement mouths. Show more1 year ago

Gary and Mike - Behind the Scenes

RandyBThanks Marc. I'd heard that the building was sold. Very sad indeed. I wish Will V. could have just bought it and turned it into a museum. I was only...Thanks Marc. I'd heard that the building was sold. Very sad indeed. I wish Will V. could have just bought it and turned it into a museum. I was only in that main building 3 or 4 times - when I was going through the audition process. Gary and Mike was filmed in a warehouse a few blocks from there. But getting to work at a major stop mo studio was an incredible experience, I now understand the structure of how large productions come together. Quite fascinating. I also learned that I don't really want to be a cog in a giant wheel. I prefer being the whole machine. heheShow more2 years ago

animateclayI hear ya, there are political aspects to any large studio. I guess that can't be avoided. I never did work there, only visited about 3-4 times...I hear ya, there are political aspects to any large studio. I guess that can't be avoided. I never did work there, only visited about 3-4 times myself. I still consider those times some of the best I've had when it comes to animation. Just seeing the raw art all laid out on tables and shelves everywhere. I'll never forget it. There are so many talented people in stop motion and not many even know much about them because all they are - are unknown names in the end credits. If there are credits.Show more2 years ago

RandyBI hear that. I worked on 4 of the first 6 episodes of G and M. I specifically asked the directors if I would get an end credit, and was told I'd be...I hear that. I worked on 4 of the first 6 episodes of G and M. I specifically asked the directors if I would get an end credit, and was told I'd be listed on all the episodes I worked on - but when they finally aired, I only got a credit on one episode. Rather annoying. But I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. It was just about the coolest thing I've ever gotten to do. And yeah - so many of the animators there did brilliant work - and continue to work on the stop mo features that have come out since then. And some animators - uh - not so much since they hired a few folks who had literally never animated a frame before - but had some background in artist endeavors. One girl had been a puppeteer from Henson's creature shop - so Vinton hired her to do stop mo. Go figure. But it was an awesome group of people. I got to know Ralph and Lisa Cordero, and a few others that I still keep in contact with 17 years later.Show more2 years ago